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Alan Rosenberg is a veteran journalist and editor in the southern New England market who is currently posted as the Executive Editor of the region’s legacy newspaper, The Providence Journal.  

In a era dominated by evolving consumer news, broad media and spending habits, I was curious about Mr. Rosenberg’s approach to moving The Journal forward with new financial and content strategies, while retaining the credibility and hard-news-first approach the paper has been known to produce since its origin in 1829.

We also discussed Rosenberg’s backstory and productive competition with other elements of the Rhode Island media market.

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The Rhode Island Democratic Party has solidly been in control of Rhode Island politics for decades, with members currently occupying all statewide and federal elected positions, as well as a dominant segment of the state’s bicameral General Assembly.  

However, in recent years, more and more attention has been paid to some of the widespread ideological makeup and differences within the state party and how that diversity is represented in leadership positions and legislative activity.  For the most part, leadership within the Rhode Island Democratic party has rested in the somewhat conservative, institutionalist element of the party, and less so in the more and more vocal and active progressive wing.

In the 2018 election, several indicators demonstrated what seemed to be increasing momentum for progressive ideals: progressive former Representative Aaron Regunberg’s impressive, near victory in challenging Lieutenant Governor Dan McKee in a Democratic primary; push back from party members at the insertion of former Trumpian Republican Michael Earnhart as a primary challenger to progressive Representative Moira Walsh, and, several General Assembly seats - and the party’s platform - swinging towards the left in and following the 2018 General Election, including the emergence of the progressive and anti-establishment Reform Caucus in the House.

In seeking to advance the progressive agenda and to shake up the nature of party leadership, several challengers to party leaders emerged ahead of this past Sunday’s State Democratic Committee election.  Although Rep. Walsh, the aforementioned Providence progressive  

challenged current chairman Rep. Joseph McNamara for the party leadership position, she fell short of mounting a serious challenge, ammassing 28 total votes to McNamara’s 144.

Following Sunday’s State Committee meeting, I was left wondering, as I often have in recent times, where is the actual center of the Rhode Island Democratic Party, is major compromise possible given the size and scope of the party’s ‘big tent’, and can the state party forge a clear and consistent identity ahead of the 2020 Presidential elections?

I spoke with Chairman Joseph Mcnamara and activist/journalist Lauren Neidel in separate conversations in an attempt to pinpoint where the Democratic party is and where it may be heading.

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Rhode Island has a vast and storied history of producing original and long lasting musical artists.  

From Providence’s position in the international lineage of noise and hip hop, to the post-punk and blues legacy bands out of Newport and South County, to northwest Rhode Island’s folk and country pool, and the East Bay’s position as a mecca of interesting ideas, The Ocean State has served as both a practical and inspiring homebase for many musical movements.  

At once an insular music community ala early 60’s Jamaica or mid-century New Orleans, yet also interconnected within the northeast megalopolis with Boston and New York, Rhode Island’s blend of native-born artists and transient, student artists have produced a specific brand of musical conversation.

Two bands that are making waves in the area right now are The Z Boys and Heather Rose In Clover, who are each about to release new music and perform release shows in Providence.

Like me, Heather Rose in Clover and the Z Boys have been longtime regular customers in Rhode Island music, and beyond.

Between each of these conversations we discuss the making of each band’s latest recordings, making music in Rhode Island, challenges of finding employment as a musician in Rhode Island, and staying inspired and motivated, and staying ahead of the curve when it comes to major shifts in in the music industry.

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James Langevin is The United States Representative for the 2nd Congressional District, a post he has held since 2001.  Langevin served in several key roles in state government before his election to Congress, where he is a member of the House Armed Services and Homeland Security Committees.  A legacy figure in Rhode Island, and beyond, Congressman Langevin is the first quadriplegic to serve in Congress, and became the first quadriplegic appointed Speaker Pro Tempore during the 116th congress.

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Rebecca Webber is a Rhode Island native and graduate of Connecticut College and The London School of Economics.  She returned to Rhode Island committed to public policy and economic development, most recently serving as Chief of Staff to the President and CEO of Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island.

Rebecca and I met last year and have had several excellent discussions about RI’s past, present and future, so I’m very glad we were finally able to schedule a pod taping.

Lots of fun with one of my favorite characters to hang with, Rebecca Webber, a conversation we led off  discussing changes to the RI media landscape with the announcement of Dan McGowan moving on from WPRI to The Boston Globe.   

TWITTER @RSWEBBER1

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Jim Taricani is a retired investigative reporter, well known for his work at WJAR NBC 10, where he founded the station’s I-Team.  

He served a sentence of six months of home confinement for refusing a court order to divulge a source related to his work on the federal investigation into then Providence, Rhode Island mayor Buddy Cianci.

Throughout his career, Taricani created a distinct brand of broadcast investigative reporting and, along with late Pulitzer Prize winner Jack White, is the standard-bearer for investigative television journalism in the southern New England market, and a nationally respected broadcaster.

Taricani is also a lifelong musician, performing trumpet and guitar, including in bands at the front of his career.  

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The Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation oversees many key industries that vary from real estate appraisal to the state’s medical marijuana program.

In recent times, DBR has been at the forefront of local conversation, as an evolving stream of emerging industries make their way into Rhode Island’s economy.   

Recent legislation that legalized sports betting, including mobile sports betting, indications that Rhode Island is moving towards cannabis reclassification and the emergence of blockchain technology have all set DBR as a central portal that manages critical elements of Rhode Island’s future. 

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On this episode: a discussion between key stakeholders at the ground level of the extraordinary fight against homelessness in Rhode Island, The Reverend Jack Jones of Mathewson Street Church and House of Hope’s Megan Smith.

Providence, Rhode Island has been consistently noted for widespread the economic disparity of its population, most recently appearing as the 5th most such city area in the country.  While somewhat skewed by the presence of a typically short-staying, elite class of students and their associates, Providence possess a visible and urgent homeless challenge that requires a multidimensional approach to begin solving.

At the heart of this fight are several key activists and organizations, such as Reverend Jones and Ms. Smith, who are each uniquely situated to offer practical ideas for addressing the problem of homelessness in Rhode Island.

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Brian Newberry is a member of The Rhode Island House of Representatives from the 48th district, encompassing North Smithfield and portions of Burrillville in northern Rhode Island.  

As a Republican who has been in office since 2009, Newberry has had a first-hand look at how the mechanics and procedures of The House can stifle potential legislation that may seem to have broad political will, but may never come before the full body for a vote.

The Rhode Island House has three distinct factions - The Institutionalist Centrist Democrats in command, The Reform Caucus, encompassing most progressive Democrats and some reform-oriented centrist Democrats, and the smallest faction, The Republican Party, and the forging of coalitions within and between those factions is a key element of Rhode Island lawmaking 

I sat down with Rep Newberry at The Loft right before a headed into a House session, and gained an understanding of how he believes The General Assembly can be improved, and what his own future political plans might look like.

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Rhode Island has a rich and impressive history, extending back through a network of native tribes, early European exploration and a longstanding position as a hub of independent, secular and empathetic thought in the New World.

From key events like the post-King Philip's War era, to the burning of the Gaspee in Pawtuxet harbor, to enactment of The Bill of Rights, the triangle trade, to The Dorr Rebellion, The Industrial Revolution, and its modern day position as a state on the verge of great reinvention, Rhode Island’s history presents a fascinating and enlightening lens to forge a narrative of the evolution of United States.

The State of Rhode Island possesses a vast collection of historical documents and artifacts which, when viewed in tandem with historical context, can transform a person’s understanding and appreciation of many of the key events, periods and people that have come to shape the Ocean State.

As Rhode Island Secretary of State, Nellie Gorbea oversees the Rhode Island State Archives, a facility located in downtown Providence, which offers some modest displays and access to thousands of materials.

However, the current facility is essentially a converted commercial office space, not particularly large or interactive, and seated in the heart of a potential flood zone.

Secretary of State Gorbea has undertaken the beginnings of a legacy project, to oversee the construction of a brand new Rhode Island State Archives and Educational Center, which would be walking distance from The State House, and presented as an impressive and interactive experience. 

Secretary Gorbea reached out and asked if I’d like to tour the State Archives with her, talk Rhode Island history, and why a new facility would greatly benefit all Rhode Islanders, and I was very happy to take her up on the offer.

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